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When you connect to the Internet, your computer or device is identified by servers and websites by its IP address. An internal (or local) IP address is used only on your local network and is only seen by other devices on that local network. An external (or public) IP address is seen by website you visit and servers you connect to. This should be the same as the address assigned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) unless your internet traffic is going through a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a proxy server. Use the instructions below to find your address.
External (Public) IP Address
Internal (Local) IP Address
Windows
- Open the Command Prompt by right-clicking on the Start button (located in the lower-left corner of the screen) and select Command Prompt from the menu. Alternatively, press the Windows Key on your keyboard, type cmd into the Search bar, then press Enter on your keyboard.
- Enter ipconfig /all into the Command Prompt window and press Enter on your keyboard.
- Your local IP address will be listed next to IPv4 Address.
macOS
- Go to Apple > System Preferences > Network.
- Select either Wi-Fi or Ethernet from the list on the left depending on your connection type. There should be a sentence in the Network menu that reads "Wi-Fi/Ethernet is connected to "Network" and has the IP address 192.168.x.xxx." The string of numbers at the end is your local IP address.
Your feedback on this article is welcome, and we review comments regularly. However, if you have an issue or question requiring immediate attention or want to discuss your feedback on this article, please get in touch with the Northwestern IT Service Desk at 847-49
1-4357 (1-HELP) or
consultant@northwestern.edu.